LANDOVER, Md. -- Legal shift or illegal simulation of a snap? Coach Jim Harbaugh is eager to learn the difference from the NFL.Tight end Justin Peelle was called for a false start prior to a fourth-and-1 snap in the second quarter. Peelle was on the end of the line and was allowed to shift off the line of scrimmage. But referee Gene Steratore and his crew deemed Peelle's movement illegal."We went through a legal shift and they called us for simulating a snap," Harbaugh said after the 49ers' 19-11 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday. "(I) still want to get that explained to me why that was different than any other shift in any part of the game."
The 49ers were called for a similar penalty three weeks ago against the Detroit Lions. Harbaugh said he received three different explanations throughout the course of that game from referee Mike Carey.After the penalty Sunday, the 49ers ended up sending their field-goal unit onto the field. Kicker David Akers made a 34-yard field goal to give the 49ers a 6-0 lead in the second quarter.Harbaugh was also displeased with Steratore's "mechanics" during a sequence on the 49ers' first drive. Alex Boone and Isaac Sopoaga were inserted into the game for a short-yardage situation but they could not get Steratore's attention to report as eligible receivers.With the play clock ticking down, Harbaugh said he tried to call a timeout. Again, his plea was not heard, he said. The 49ers were called for delay of game."That's a big occurrence in the game when you go from third and 1 to third and 6," Harbaugh said.The 49ers did not convert the first down, and the game remained scoreless into the second quarter.